MP Jacqui Smith joined (from left) Sally Harvey, Annett Jaep, Gillian Entwistle and Gordon Prescot at a reunion for people coping with a long-term medical condition.

People who have benefited from the Expert Patient's Programme met at the Church Hill Clinic to discuss their different experiences.

The programme, run by Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust, helps people with all manner of long-term illnesses to cope mentally and physically with their condition.